02 Capturing Performance - Development Diary | Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

With Senua's Saga: Hellblade II we want to suspend your disbelief and immerse you in Senua's world and story. In this development diary we show you how we're working to achieve this through our use of performance capture, and take you behind the scenes of our trailer from the Xbox Games Showcase.
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Wish list Senua's Saga: Hellblade II
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[@MissingNo_]

I am so happy for Melina winning a BAFTA for something that was one of her greatest fears.

[@astrofaycel8012]

Your commitment to this game is astounding! I hope we can get some combat gameplay very soon

[@AliMohammed-td1yt]

Saudi Arabia

[@klimovskiyal]

Big thanks for Microsoft, for giving money to this great team. Performance capture studio are stunning. I’m so happy that one of my favorite game studio has such a cool place to work)

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

Lol they own the studio.

[@Martin_Skywatcher]

It's great to have all this motion capture equipment, but I think it is really Melina's great acting performance that is bringing Senua to live. Well done Melina and all the other actors involved offcourse !

[@1977Yakko]

Agreed. I'd go so as to say maybe the first game benefitted from the comparatively shoestring budget. If not for those limitations, Melina may not have been given a shot and she proved to be a natural who brought the game to life.

[@Martin_Skywatcher]

Exactly

[@bradleyc6564]

Graphics have gotten amazing on many fronts, but great facial performance capture has always been an aspect that was lacking. It always took me out of it. This, on the other hand, is excellent. Thanks for pushing the envelope Ninja Theory!

[@tattoodude8946]

Absolutely. Even in the first game, it was what really drew you into the world and it looks like they have taken that and gone up ten fold! I can't wait to see what the second game brings.

[@Nyterev]

Love the behind the scene explainations. Amazing work.

[@sunkinthesand]

that's why i got the 1st game. the background work and build up really built the hype for me and enjoy it sooo much more. i'm really looking forward to the next one

[@The_Kirk_Lazarus]

*explanations

[@Tasuva]

Every time I see a ninja theory dev diary, I'm amazed, inspired and impressed. So excited for Hellblade 2.

[@1977Yakko]

I know some were complaining the xbox presentation didn't have any action but I thought it brought back that anxiety of the voices very well. Also, that part when Senua was crawling through that enclosed area triggered my claustrophobia so already this game is setting off emotional reactions. At first I was worried about how on earth this game was going to top the first game. I thought for sure it was lightning in a bottle. A total one hit wonder that could in no way be replicated. Based on what I'm seeing, I will be pleasantly surprised. Well done. :D

[@RaptieFeathers]

It's such a crime that NT isn't recognized for how revolutionary they have been to performance capture as a whole-the tech they used in the first game is now used everywhere And what they're doing here is leagues ahead of the much more expensive setups that big gaming and movie studios do. Once again, they pave the way for everyone else to follow.

[@KRGraphicsCG]

It's great to see you guys working on this masterpiece

[@Lee-vn8xg]

Every behind the scenes update gets me more and more excited for this game. The love, care, and dedication you guys have to this project is a delight to see. Also really excited to see the cast of the game expanding more than before! Can't wait for the next update!

[@generalarl]

And thank you all for giving us this fantastic experience 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😁

[@bwabbel]

I really appreciate the insights into production and the technology used! It shows how serious you are about making the best games you can. I think it's also very clear that Microsoft believes in you. I hope this game will be as unforgettable as the first one

[@softbreezemusic]

please keep your style because your games are so refreshing and the story of senua is really good, I enjoy every second of the first game, the vibe , the atmosphere everything keep the good work and please don't change like other studios stay true to what makes u different from others, and I cant wait for the second game

[@sunny99179]

I follow you since early stages with devlogs of hellblade1, i did not think that hellblade would become this amazing top AAA new gen game. im a huge fan,finished 3 times the first game and love the passion you guys give to this game. i can not wait for this game but i can wait the time it needs to be better than 1st and the most amazing tittle of this gen of consoles

[@Wesker824]

Olá sou daqui do Brasil 🇧🇷, e queria dizer que o trabalho de vcs é incrível!!!. Zerei hellblade 1 no xbox Series S é que jogaço!!, ansioso para Hellblade 2 com grande orçamento da xbox é com pessoas tão incríveis desenvolvendo 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰. Vcs vão ter meu voto para o game do ano de 2024:)

[@WOLFMAN_ITA]

I've been saying it for 2 years already: Hellblade II will be GOTY 2024. I guarantee it

[@cookingsauce8274]

You're already calling it goty even though they've shown hardly anything about this game except "the graphics and animations are good". What a joke lol

[@WOLFMAN_ITA]

@@cookingsauce8274 no one else has shown such advanced use of the UNREAL ENGINE 5

[@F.E.A.R.]

@@WOLFMAN_ITA STALKER 2 did

[@blade5883]

​@@cookingsauce8274Hellblade 2 2024 GOTY lmao

[@MaddestMadHatter]

I love it! Love everything about this game. Also love brilliant stardom acting...she always pulls me into the depths of such amazing feelings & wonders.

[@Grimmtht]

I have gamepass but still preordered this. Gotta support the truely good studios

[@Thomas-rw5wx]

great to see some updates! So excited for this game, I really believe you all can make some amazing art again :)

[@erikvdb]

Congrats on the new capture space, it looks incredible! The overhead projector to help with blocking and placement of props is genius, and there are so many other cool features that I now want to implement in my mocap spaces :D Thanks for sharing!

[@aperson9847]

I'm so excited that this time around they have the capability to build cinematics with whole groups of actors including Melina. I think they did an absolutely brilliant job with the first game but being able to see Senua surrounded by and interacting with other characters will be a really cool way to expand the story.

[@emilymitchell6823]

There are so few dev teams that are as communicative and smartly ambitious as ninja, genuine inspirations

[@Splarkszter]

Completely beautiful. So exited.

[@redwaldcuthberting7195]

The dev diaries were the best part of following the first game.

[@richarddorton1626]

Great video of the process and a beautiful studio!

[@s.k.12]

This is going to be so epic!

[@rbm.artworks6062]

Love watching these diaries cannot wait to play this next year is going to absolutely amazing

[@chrizzLanc]

Best capturing studio right now? . Great work.

[@heyguyslolGAMING]

Tyvm for the vid. Really looking forward to this.

[@fangussteef8587]

Im really glad that the producer teally get what the game is about, performance and immersion, and also other ppl get to talk about their work and why it is importance to have a "workeable environment". It's fod to feel like this game is fun to make in a time where the game making industry is really not at its best.. take care of you all Ninja theory, i really love your job and i sincerelly hope that one day, i get to work for you ^^

[@Raven_Black_252]

I'm in love with you guys! I love Senua and everything you create!

[@kakulukiya1997]

A la espera de Hellblade II emocionado con estas escenas! 😁

[@aminllanime7268]

Gives me joy watching these episodes ❤

[@SOMETHINGMY]

Masterpiece! Thank you for this game guys. Y'all awesome!

[@jesuschristiscallingyou953]

This is impressive, ha-ha. I feel overwhelmed just seeing all the complexity and nuance behind the final product!

[@mrmojorising4877]

You guys are mad this game fuckin rocks all around spectacular

[@dnosterkek5292]

This is gonna be great 😮

[@bugsnax4145]

The passion I see is what hypes me up so much about this game. The amount of effort being brought to make this masterpiece possible. Cant wait for 2024

[@philip3060]

Love updates like these and the podcasts, cheers!

[@InfectedChris]

I am already in love with this game.

[@sworddomo1951]

Excited for the audio diary

[@Cobernikus]

Senua was the reason i switched from Sony to Xbox.....can't wait to play this second chapter ❤

[@CronDon93]

I'm so happy to see that this project hasn't been forgotten. I can't wait for this game to come out ❤️

[@HelennaRose]

I’m so grateful to be alive to play this. ❤ I can’t wait.

[@mjaegerj]

Love it!

[@deejaydc89]

One of the, if not the absolute best game studios out there. Good job guys, show everybody how it's done

[@_Althena]

Take your Time. We can wait!

[@mateusbmedeiros]

Each new video manages to make me more hyped when I don't think I can get any more hyped. I'm trying to temper my expectations, but it's getting hard.

[@propps2253]

Your team is amazing, i think this time and age where all the games are just mindless games for entertainment what you are doing can change people's perspectives on many different subjects. This is true art how i see it because you didn't expect to create a game for so many people because that could be easy just make a action game, but you did for for people to learn something and something you wanted to create out of love without expectations. A lot of people wanted more gameplay or combat but for me this capture beautiful the spirit of Senua, about mental health, trauma, psychosis and the esoteric.

[@brendon4558]

So I still play Xbox one.. This game is literally the one game I'll move over to the current Gen xbox, the first game is honestly my favorite game I've ever played, I'm 26 now and I've been playing since I was around 10. Honestly you're all Amazing and the game is phenomenal 🙌can't wait for this new one

[@DaLander]

Thank you for this insight. I would love to see and episode about the sound design and one about the music and cooperation with Heilung for the soundtrack.

amazing game ! very nice made ! wauw ! playing it now

[@TheQboy200]

When I look forward to the dev diaries just as much as the launch shows how much I love what these guys/gals do😅

[@turgsh01]

I still wanna build a snowman with her. :p I miss her personality and humor.

[@xzenor]

Those people rocking the boat must've had a fun but exhausting day :D

[@Majician]

Can't wait! But please take your time! If you're happy I'll be just as, if not more, happy with the final product!

[@ronaldcastro2676]

I neeeeeeed this game! Loved the first one

[@CharlesHatton]

I am so hyped for this game. 🔥♥🔥

[@Amyr892]

AMAZING

[@sakarakit5835]

Best. Studio. Ever!

[@F.E.A.R.]

Combat? Puzzles? Is there any actual gameplay?

[@sage_mode_]

Next year finally!

[@mbnqpl]

I love Senua!

[@ICZERZERO3000]

Awesome… Happy Gaming Everyone 😎.

[@BasilicLion]

Ahhhhh can’t wait to get the controler and jump into this amazing game 💚💚💚

[@diogenesbrasil5407]

congrats to you Senua's Saga: Hellblade II💚

[@sansivargaming]

Melina tiene la gracia y la fuerza para darle vida a senua. Tremendo mérito ganar un premio, no es actriz pero lo ha hecho espectacular, simplemente se merecía ese premio. Ojalá repitan goty e interpretación, que ganen muchos premios más 👍

[@stevenmontecino]

The money Microsoft has its crazy. Bought the company and made them a new studio with state of the yard tech. Amazing.

[@Bavari90]

Ninjas!!!!! 💚

[@twokay52]

So have you actually made anything? What stage are you guys at? Just experimenting? No release date? Am I missing something?

[@LucasSilva-oe4ov]

It will be released next year

[@twokay52]

@@LucasSilva-oe4ov Thanks!

[@cristianmusumeci1473]

Grazie a tutto il tem per il 2 capitolo di senua bellissimo e spero facciate il 3 capitolo. Ma quando in remake di Evelyn s. E enslaved. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@FelipemartinezPipe]

😍😍

[@Miguel_Noether]

👏👏👏👏

[@mitcherny6965]

Gee, Xenua's put on some extra kilo's on that bum!

[@noraozil5441]

👏🏽 ❤❤

[@simomartins6017]

Good work guys but damn.. you know people want see the combat system gameplay!

[@makavelidios8545]

I NEED SWORDPLAY!!!

[@user-ci3ik4hm5o]

🥶🥶

[@marcsang4529]

[@carizzmoo]

Ich liebe Hellblade, das Studio macht nen super Job, die Grafik ist ein Brett und Melina ist einfach sensationell....aaaaber warum sehen wir bei nem Spiel was 2024 erscheinen soll bisher nicht ein einziges mal richtiges gameplay oder nen Ausschnitt von einem Kampf? Entweder es ist so gut und man will sichs für eine Präsentation als Highlight aufbewahren oder es ist eher so meehh.

[@alex0589]

Can i be a "boat rig" guy? That looked fun 6:48

[@jdphillips7539]

Looks great. Still bummed I won’t be able to play it when it’s released. :/

[@sean7332]

Why

[@masterdrake43]

I wonder who those other characters are, the ones with Senua at 2:31.

[@stromartesinfophoto]

⏳

[@funman9924]

PLEASE SHOW COMBAT

[@OliverHollingdale]

Why does Will Potter look like META human at the start XD

[@shiveringisles3509]

What is the difference between The Ninja Diaries and Development Diary.. hope there is a soundtrack episode.

[@QwaDePlus]

See you in 2024

[@Naval_K]

Please make Web Series also 🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥🎥

[@Wenedi]

I do find it kind of strange how she was teased as a strong, converted warrior initially, only to come back to her weaker self in later trailers : \

[@sean7332]

True

[@jdphillips7539]

That is the nature of battling illness, though. It ebbs and flows. She’s both a strong warrior and prone to those weaker moments. That is, in fact, what makes her strong.

[@hattorihanzo8465]

2024 :D i think 2025

[@nomercy8989]

Is it just me or are all the developer videos just about motion capture? I feel like I've seen a motion capture promotional video for this sequel 10 years ago.

[@dippedoreo]

60 fps?

[@si_mon_ki2828]

whos the male voice actor? sounds like christopher judge

[@babasemka]

Thicclina Juergens 😂

[@Wickedroonz]

Bruh why do all this instead of just showing combat?

[@user-ue5yn6ob9i]

How can I get hired to be a performance actor?

[@ddp5406]

Why arent you showing combat

[@flannelsykes0]

Audible groan